This popular alpine lake Colorado hike near Vail, Colorado will take you across Pitkin Creek and on an intense, narrow climb up the mountain. Early July 2020 My first trip to the beautiful remote Sand Creek Lakes high above the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado was in 2017, a year of the big runoff. The Lake Haiyaha hike is accessible year-round, Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Like a Local, Altitude Sickness Prevention for Your Mountain Hike, best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Things to do in Colorado this Winter Besides Ski, 13 Mega-Epic Hikes in Estes Park, Colorado. You could spend a lifetime trying to see all of the alpine lakes in Colorado and just barely scratch the surface. The trail is about 6.8 miles round trip to Ice Lake with 2,457 ft elevation gain. Getting to American Lake requires a steep 6 mile round trip hike with 2,000 ft elevation gain. For the ultimate sunrise with majestic mountain peaks as the backdrop, this is just the right adventure. Pass by the popular Alberta Falls, but keep trekking to leave the crowds behind and find yourself in complete solitude in this vast and unbelievably beautiful wilderness. Distance: 4 miles in summer, 8 in winterElevation: 1,614 feet in summer, unknown to the lakeDifficulty: Easy to moderateRed Tape and Local Tips: Although there is a map on AllTrails, its not entirely accurate with distances. Use a private browsing window to sign in. It can be hard to narrow down which hikes, Colorado is a beautiful state with tall peaks, incredible lakes, and four unique national parks. This ideal backpacking destination is located just minutes from the mountain town of Aspen. Sprague is one of the best places to catch the sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Park. Located in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, Upper Diamond Lake provides serenity and solitude even within this popular hiking area. There's a one-way road that loops around the lake and parking for trailheads leading to Blue and Mitchell Lakes in the north valley and Isabelle and Long Lakes to the south. If you choose to visit any one of these destinations, please remember to recreate responsibly, stay on the trail, and pack out all trash. Dogs welcome. While opting for the alpine wonder is suitable for a wider range hiking skill levels, bagging both peaks is only recommend for the most experienced hikers. Just one valley over from Cyrstal Lake is Mohawk Lakes, another set of stunning alpine lakes in Colorado. And dont forget to look out for mountain goats! It makes sense to combine the visit to Island Lake with Ice Lake, as Ice Lake is about 0.5 miles away. You will definitely want to wear hiking boots and bring trekking poles for this part of the trail. The park boasts a wide range of activities that include summiting 14,259-foot Longs Peak, camping in the expansive backcountry, hiking to waterfalls and alpine lakes and, of course, wildlife viewing. Photo Credit: MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski (iStock). The total hike round trip to Middle Blue Lake is 7.6 miles with 2,292 ft elevation gain. Parking early in the morning is free at the Bear Lake Trailhead. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Mary's Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Distance: 2.8 milesElevation: 885 feetDifficulty: Moderate to difficultRed Tape and local tips: Dogs are allowed to use this trail. Here's a list of beautiful alpine lakes in Colorado for adventure-seeking souls. Here are the lessons I have learned! Overall, this is a gentle hike with typical views, well worth the short trip if you are in the area. Mohawk Lakes offer plenty of picture-perfect backcountry camping or opportunities to summit nearby mountains, such as Father Dyer. Be on the lookout for the moose who call this beautiful mountain landscape home! Water activities including fishing and kayaking are great ways to spend time exploring the area, especially if you plan to stay and camp. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Dogs are welcome but keep them leashed, Im not kidding about the moose! Colorado will soon see moisture from what was Hurricane Nora and flash flood watches are already in effect for parts of the state. Stats: 4.6 miles, 1,012' elevation gain. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. + Save to a List. Ice Lake Trailhead is located 7 miles west of Silverton. ATV The Alpine Loop Length: 65 mile loop Drive Time: 5-7 hours Fees: 3-day Pass: $6.00 7-day Pass: $12.00 Annual Pass: $45.00 Or America the Beautiful Pass (National Park Pass) Difficulty: 75% Easy / 25% Difficult (rock outcroppings, drop offs) Access: Easy ATV Friendly Town: Lake City Ideal Riding Season: Mid Summer - September Grand Lake. Related: Visit Rocky Mountain National Park Like a Local. As a consequence, by mid-June I Distance: 4.4 miles in summer, 11 miles in winterElevation: 448 in summer, 1,030 in winterDifficulty: Easy (moderate in winter)Red Tape and Local Tips: The Brainard Lake Recreation Area requires a fee for day use. Breathtaking beauty awaits hikers at South Colony Lakes. Its always a good idea, especially on longer, difficult hikes or solo excursions, to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Not your computer? Our other most popular lakeside elopement locations in Colorado are Blue Lakes near Breckenridge and Lake Isabelle near Boulder. Dont forget to turn left at the graves or youll pass right by the final push to Gore Lake! Photo by Kyle Jenkins. This adventure features three impressive alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park: The Loch, Glass Lake, and Sky Pond. Filled with crystal-clear water and surrounded by mind-blowing settings, these backcountry bodies of water are meant to be enjoyed. Explore the fantastically beautiful cirque and enjoy views of Kit Carson, The Crestones, and Humboldt Peak. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Make sure you have the necessary permits before setting up camp. In fact, this is one of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park. Nineteen of the 24 lakes shown in the video sit above 10,000 feet in elevation. 1. This popular lake is located within Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. Please note, reservations are required to visit the park. Does Sky Pond sound too intense? Its nine miles round trip, gaining about 1,780 feet of elevation. On the way youll pass three additional lakes, including the iconic Dream Lake. Alpine Loop. Many of Colorado's high lakes are found in roadless or wilderness areas. Keep in mind that State Forest State Park requires a fee. Be sure to bring your camera and a snack to enjoy at the lake, its really that unbelievable. 8 to 4 miles Round TripElevation: Depends. Both alpine lakes sit at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. You'll find Continental Falls in the White River National Forest near Breckenridge. Tell someone about your plans. Trout Lake is a short drive from the Town of Telluride and Mountain Village towards Lizard Head Pass. Another difficult hike for your Colorado bucket list, Mills Lake boasts 11 miles of stunning beauty. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. The winding hike leads you past dreamy fields of wildflowers before reaching the sparkling aqua the area is known for. Dogs are welcome, but due to the crowds, keep Fido leashed. Yes. It's about a 3-mile trek out-and-back. 1. The trail will end with a gorgeous view of Pitkin Lake. Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes and three other unnamed lakes are all in the area. These high-altitude lakes are typically much clearer than their low elevation counterparts and are often fed directly by snowmelt. Island Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado, located at 12,400 feet. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. In the summer, the wildflowers are quite magical. For the best wildflowers, do this hike in late July. The hike gains more than 3,000 feet of elevation, so be prepared for a strenuous climb coached with incredible views to keep you distracted. Nestled in Roosevelt National Forest, you can set foot on this adventure to three alpine lakes and a lagoon with the opportunity to pass by splendid waterfalls and wildflowers. Another worthwhile alpine lake hike near Breckenridge is Crystal Lake, which gives the ultimate solitude and scenery double punch. Heart Lake is another great option for backpackers. Camping is prohibited within a quarter of a mile to protect its fragile environment. Alpine Loop drive takes 4-6 hours to cover the distance between Ouray, Lake City, and Silverton. Encounter some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world as you wind your way through an alpine wonderland, mountain reservoirs, beyond timberline, overtaking the clouds. Access: Transit to Trails is a great option for these hikes! Arguably one of the most scenic backpacking routes in Colorado, Gore Lake delivers alpine beauty unlike anything else.Make your way up the challenging trail to an alpine scene that literally looks like a painting. An alternative to driving on your own is toreserve a spoton the RFTA shuttle from Aspen Highlands Village to Maroon Bells. These Colorado lake hikes deliver a bit more of a challenge, but that just makes the reward that much sweeter. Continue for several more miles until reaching the base of The Spearhead, a famous mountaineering objective. . This rather large lake is surrounded by pines with a dramatic mountain background. However, the serenity of the lakes is well worth the butt-busting effort. If you push on past the falls, you'll be rewarded with some of the most beautiful alpine lakes near Denver. This Rocky Mountain National Park adventure provides an opportunity to catch an unforgettable sunrise. Where can I camp next to a lake near Denver? Maroon Creek Road which leads to Maroon Bells is usually open between May and November and you are required to makereservations ahead of time to enter Maroon Bells area. But what if I told you we havent been given access to over half of whats really out there? An alternative to driving on your own is to. No dogs. It looked like a decent hike that led to such a clean and . Check out three different alpine lakes in the James Peak Wilderness with the Crater Lakes Trail. For a brief time, in only the warmest months of the year, will you find the waters of the Green Mountain Reservoir tolerable for swimming. More Information 2. Alpine lakes are defined by being any lake that sits above 10,000 feet above sea level. It's the state's highest peak. Before you hit the trail, there are several important things to remember. Just be sure if you ask a hiking group, you make it clear that youve already checked with good old Google. Distance: 8.12 milesElevation: 2037 ftType: Out-and-back. Its best to check with AllTrails.com or even local hiking Facebook groups to get the most up-to-date information. You even get two lakes for the price of one hike. Alpine lakes, old cabins, creek crossings, summer wildflowers, a stupendous waterfall, and unimaginable views. Spalding. Eloping in Colorado gives you access to epic views of 15 mountain ranges, 54 peaks over 10,000 feet, alpine lakes, meadows of wildflowers, and a vast variety of gorgeous backdrops. The ideal time to visit is. Colorado has many picturesque lakes surrounded by high peaks. The 8.9-mile out-and-back trail is blazed in beauty. Sharp granite cliffs rise straight out of the water as you gaze upon views of Longs Peak in the distance. There is no overnight parking without a backcountry permit (we learned this the hard way) and there is an entry fee to get to the trailhead. Surround yourself in an amphitheater of dramatic rock and scope out of the best alpine lakes in Colorado. Plenty of camping up there and a dog-friendly area. And the fish well, they just float on down, once deployed from the airplane. Youll likely want to stay overnight to prolong your time in this picturesque environment, but do note that permits are required for campers. Anglers should bring fishing gear as there are plenty of opportunities to fish for trout! Keep moving forward and the trail will switch back and then head up the mountain. Dont expect solitude here, even in the dead of winter. Getting caught in a lightning storm at altitude is dangerous, it kills people every year, so be sure to check the weather and plan appropriately. Give them instructions about who to call if they dont hear from you. Located in gorgeous Glenwood Canyon, the drive to the trailhead is reason . Print/PDF map. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. You'll be crossing a few small streams, so be careful after heavy rains. Eventually, you will come across a meadow and can continue up the far side of the mountain, through a dense evergreen forest. In terms of the best lake hikes, Colorado offers some incredibly unique lakes and the Hanging Lake hike takes the cake. This article will walk you through the best lakes in Colorado and how to get to these lakes. The cold water is characteristic of alpine lakes. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. To get there, follow Spruce Creek Trail to Mohawk Lakes for 8.6 miles of out-and-back beauty. Suggest edits to improve what we show. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, but taking it easy and simply sitting back or fishing in the lake is the perfect way to slow down, unwind, and just be. Moderate (difficult in winter) 2.4-mile out-and-back. . But if climbing a fourteener is not your bag, there's also a trail that leads to the jaw-dropping and some of the. Since its such an iconic spot, you likely wont find yourself alone, unless you plan wisely and go early in the season, late in the evening, or during the winter. Distance: 5.24 milesElevation: 940 ftType: Out-and-back. No dogs. Some of them thought all of us had hiked into the wilderness to hear their death metal on the boombox at the lake all day. On the way to Emerald Lake you will also pass Nymph Lake and Dream Lake. Lakes at 12,000 feet above sea level may only offer a couple of months of fishing due to the heavy snowfall in Colorado. You can take a dip at Sprouting Rock in a stunning turquoise oasis found just behind Hanging Lake. To see the entire lake though, youll need to do a bit of climbing up the shore. Check out our favorite alpine hikes in Colorado and neighboring states. Bloods Lake and Lackawaxen Trail. Camping is permitted and free around Alta Lakes in Telluride with campsites littered all around the three lakes. Bierstadt Lake is a Rocky Mountain National Park gem. Length: 63 miles. . Stargazing at night is amazing, so be sure to bring a camera if youre into night photography! This helps you beat those pesky thunderstorms and stay safe. Youll begin the hike winding through dense forest before the scenery opens up to an incredible view of Longs Peak. In fact, almost every hike in Colorado leads to an alpine lake. Dog-Friendly: Bloods Lake - No, Lake Lackawaxen - Yes. "In cold, productive alpine lakes, trout can live to be quite old," says Jeff Spohn, aquatic biologist for Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife. Famous for its year-round snow, the base of St Marys Glacier, is one of the most accessible alpine lakes in Colorado. Distance: 4.51 milesElevation: 1090 ftType: Out-and-back. Parking is $5 at the Summit Lake parking lot. For an added challenge and extra mileage, you can even summit Longs Peak for an elevated vantage point! Hike to Chasm Lake Photo: Kyle Frost Distance: 8.02 miles Elevation: 2500 ft Type: Out-and-back 10 Remarkable Trails Near Denver To Add To Your Summer Bucket List, 10 Destinations Everyone In Denver Needs to Visit This Summer, Everyone In Denver Must Visit This Epic Hot Spring As Soon As Possible, This Swimming Spot Has The Clearest, Most Pristine Water Near Denver, 16 Unforgettable Things You Must Add To Your Denver Summer Bucket List, 10 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit Around Denver This Summer, 7 Of The Best Beaches Around Denver To Visit This Summer, These 11 Epic Wildflower Hikes Around Denver Are Completely Out Of This World. There is a road where you can drive down next to the lakes, and a different road that you can drive up for views of the lakes. Stay awhile and enjoy the views! Distance: 8.56 milesElevation: 2057 ftType: Out-and-back. The fastest way to get to this beautiful lake in the rocky mountains is to hike from Glacier Gorge Trailhead 5.4 miles round trip with 1,070 ft elevation gain. Yep, us too. The trail starts off steep, dropping into a valley before running flat, then climbing steeply up again. . Discover the solitude and beauty of Twin Lakes. The Alpine Loop starts with the historic high-altitude town of Ouray. There are few hidden gems better to explore in the mountainous state of Colorado than the high alpine waters. Sandbeach Lake has a wide sandy shore thats perfect for picnicking or simply sitting to take in the scenery. Lake Blanche Trail : An absolute must-see for the aspiring Wasatch adventurer . Discover the alpine beauty of Mirror Lake. or drop a line and try your luck with some fishing. Once you get to the lake, focus on the right shoreline, where there is a great drop off for fish to hang out around. Distance: 6.5 milesElevation: 2,362 feetDifficulty: Moderate to DifficultRed Tape and local tips: Pssst, there are a lot of nearby small lakes and areas to explore here.
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